Facilities & Construction Services
Building Connections
Doors await by the hundreds in Columbia Public Schools. Opening doors is our opportunity to greet each other, consider the understood and the unfamiliar, exchange knowledge and skills, and connect with others who seem too different. Our schools are where childhood friends begin and building connections with each other lends optimism for an extraordinary future together.
As we continue settling into our school routines, keep a welcome mat at the door. Opportunity is knocking, let us continue to listen.
HVAC issues
Uncomfortable temperatures are frustrating and negatively impacts staffs' and scholars' productivity. Until it's on the fritz, modern air conditioning is something we may take for granted.
During my 24 years with CPS, the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) changes are remarkable. As recently as 2013, New Haven, Rock Bridge Elementary, and much of West Middle didn't have air conditioning. Now, we use a high tech programmable computer to adjust the occupied temperature during school, after hours' events, and remotely view temperature and function to expedite troubleshooting.
Throughout the district, FCS' six Specialized Maintenance technicians are working to repair existing HVAC systems, as well as overseeing replacements and upgrades at Beulah Ralph, Jeff Middle, Midway Heights, Oakland Middle, Rock Bridge Elementary, and Rock Bridge High.
Most rooms have thermostats and can adjust the scheduled occupied temperature +/- 2°. If this fails, the best way to escalate issues is by submitting an FCS work order. Please contact your custodian or administrator to report an issue with your building's HVAC system, or other facility needs. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work out the kinks.
With gratitude for all you do,
~Ron Monson, Director
Facilities & Construction Services
Columbia Area Career Center Renovation & 5,000 Sq Ft Addition
Built in 1978 with 102,895 sq. ft., CACC is ready for innovative design elements that integrate future-focused learning spaces, actualizing the real-world's flexible workspace evolution, and offer "Front Porch" public event spaces for intercommunity connections.
Eliot Battle Elementary School 12,986 Sq Ft Addition
Battle Elementary's foot print for fall 2025 will expand 17% and student population from 450 to approximately 650. Originating 77,035 square feet in 2016, work is in progress on the additional classrooms, a new storm shelter, and playground improvements.
Southwest Elementary School 76,461 Sq Ft New Construction
Anticipated for use in fall 2026, Sinclair Road's new Southwest Elementary School facilitates capacity for 750 students and 140 staff. Featuring uniquely-themed learning spaces for collaboration, small groups, electives, media, gymnasium, playgrounds, and field.
Dear CPS Board of Education and Facilities Department,
Thank you for your exceptional support in renovating the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom at Gentry Middle School. Your investment in this state-of-the-art facility will greatly enhance our students' learning experiences and open up new opportunities for hands-on education in a safe and inclusive environment for all students. We deeply appreciate the attention to detail and commitment to providing a modern learning environment. This upgrade will not only foster practical skills but also inspire a lifelong appreciation for necessary life skills. Your dedication to our students' future is truly commendable, and we are grateful for the positive impact and investment that this renovation will have.
Respectfully,
Renee Winters
Assistant Director of the Columbia Career Center
Practical Arts Curriculum Coordinator
Lori Scanlon
Gentry Middle School
Family and Consumer Sciences Instructor
Beulah Ralph Elementary
Midway Heights Elementary
Mill Creek Elementary
Open for the 2024-2025 School Year!
Primarily, Boone County's six school district's fifth-graders will spend seven days divvied throughout the fall, winter, and spring, exploring and connecting how conserving and sustaining nature's ecosystems fits into our world. Click the image to learn more.
Featuring Four Classrooms, Wet Lab, Kitchen, and Conservation Heroes' Memorial Lobby
The Council House
The 7-sided, open-air structure with stadium seating is modeled after the Cherokee Nation's ancient design, whose Council Houses served as meeting places connecting the people to their land and their community. The Nature School’s Council House serves a similar function for the teachers and students who come to the Nature School.
Many thanks to Columbia Public Schools, MO Dept. of Conservation, Boone County, American Rescue Plan Act, PW Architecture, and Verslues Construction.
Hello CPS Secretaries and Building Administrators,
I’m excited to inform you about the new process for requesting and canceling key fobs for staff members accessing our buildings. This updated process aims to streamline secure and timely building access management across all our facilities. We appreciate your cooperation during this transition and look forward to serving you.
~Jared Clark, Human Resources Secretary to Director
Locked doors are the first line of defense. CPS security procedure requires closed doors when occupied. Close your locked door and help "Stop The Prop!"
All district staff should have - and practice using - the district's universal lockdown key (pictured). In the event of an intruder, room occupants can lock the district's interior doors from within, rather than enter the hallway. Reach out to your administrator if you need a lockdown key or assistance.
The Key Shop understands access is important and is steadfastly processing hundreds (literally) of key requests.
KEY ADMINISTRATORS:
- WORK ORDERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL KEY TRANSACTIONS. However, multiple individuals can be listed in the work order description or as an attachment.
- Issue keys judiciously for permanent staff needing frequent, long-term access (e.g., full semester or year).
- Substitutes' and temporary keys are for short-term use and not to replace lost keys.
- RETURN the ORIGINAL signed key card (yellow card) to the FCS Key Shop.
- COPY the signed key card to track your building's keys and who has access. Offer a copy to the key holder.
- When returning keys, include a copy of the card listing the corresponding key.
KEY HOLDERS:
- Never mail, share, or internally transfer keys
- Immediately report to your building administrator:
- Lost, stolen, and found keys
- Dysfunctional doors, locks, and keys
For assistance, contact the Key Shop's locksmiths, Blake Bennington and Justin Neal.
Click the image for the BCFPD's Community Risk Reduction Public Education and Community Events.
- String lights
- Fabric over lights
- Painted ceiling tiles
- Tape on sprinkler heads
- Extension cords (approved only for portable appliances*)
- Obstructed corridors and emergency egress
- Storing furniture and miscellaneous supplies in maintenance and custodial areas.
Thank you for helping our CPS community - and our firefighters - to stay safe!
FCS Work Order Emergencies Include:
- Water or sewage backup from drain clogs, that custodians cannot clear
- Sparks from switches or plugs
- Exposed wires
- Power outages
- Smell of gas
Thank you for helping monitor and report the safety and function of the district's buildings. We appreciate you!
Columbia Public Schools' Facilities and Construction Services maintains 44 buildings, over 3.5 million square feet of floor space, across 303 square miles.
FCS provides solid foundations for our CPS scholars and our community by building and maintaining the district's facilities with excellence, both inside and out. We accomplish this with our FCS Directors, Energy Manager, Engineer, Environmental Safety Technician, and Project Manager; alongside our teams of Carpenters, Custodians, Grounds, Locksmiths, Nutrition Services, Painters, Specialized Maintenance, Supervisors, Support Staff, Surplus, and Warehouse.
FCS Building Connections newsletter lends opportunity to become acquainted with our services, and tips for taking a holistic approach to maximize excellence for our district's learning environments.
If you would like to have an FCS project featured in FCS Building Connections, or for facilities and grounds assistance, contact us at 573.214.3760.